THE ministry of health has launched an ambitious US$100 million male circumcision programme that is expected to see at least 80 percent of the male population being voluntarily circumcised.

The development was confirmed by health minister David Parirenyatwa while launching the accelerated operational plan 2014–2018 and the revised policy guidelines at Green Park in Marondera today.

“You might say US$100 million is a lot of money but if we are successful we will be able to save US$1, 2 billion if 80 percent of the male population is circumcised by 2018,” said Parirenyatwa.

The ministry has targeted to circumcise at least 266,000 males in 2016, 300,000 and 320,000 in 2017 at a total cost of US$100 million.

Some 400 235 males have been circumcised since 2009 with ministry managing to introduce the non-surgical method of circumcision at some sites and launch preliminary studies on infant male circumcision.

Male circumcision is said to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS infection by at least 60 percent during sex but this does not cover full protection.

However, recent reports have suggested that men who have undergone voluntary circumcision have embarked on high sexual risks further exposing themselves to HIV/AIDS.